The document discusses safer sex practices and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It defines safer sex as steps taken before and during sexual activity to reduce STI risk, such as using condoms correctly and consistently. While not foolproof, safer sex can significantly lower STI exposure. The document then provides statistics on common STIs in the US and dispels various myths about STI transmission. It outlines higher and lower risk sexual activities and the appropriate barrier methods for each. Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of sexual education and access to healthcare in promoting safer sex practices and preventing the spread of STIs, especially among young people.

1. Rebecca Gannon

2. Safer sex = steps you can take before and during
sexual activity that are known to reduce the risk of
STI’s (sexually transmitted infections)
 Can reduce/eliminate exposure to STI’s
*although it is never guaranteed 100%*
 Having 1 untreated STI makes you more
vulnerable to catching another & make
symptoms more painful
 Some STI’s are only caused by contact with skin
that isn’t covered by a condom, only way to
prevent risk is to use condoms consistently &
correctly

3.  More
than 2 dozen bacterial, viral & parasitic
infections transmitted through sexual activity
 19 million new STI infections in the US each
year, half of the cases occupying people aged
15-24
 1 in every 4 women ages 14-19 is estimated
to be infected with one or more common
STIs (HPV, chlamydia, herpes, trichomoniasis)

4. That are NOT true!
“You can tell by looking if someone has an STI”
 “Being sexually exclusive with one partner will keep me
safe”
 “If he pulls out before he comes, I can’t get infected”
“My birth control will protect me”
 “Lesbians don’t get STI’s”
 “I am too young/old to get one”
 “They happen to other people, not me”
 “We’ve already had sex, no point using protection”
 “We shower before, so we wont spread anything”
“We haven’t gone all the way, so were not at risk”


5. Sexual Activity (Most-Least Likely)
Tools for Safer Sex
High Risk
Receiving end of anal intercourse
Male/female condom, lubricant
Vaginal Intercourse
Male/female condom, lubricant
Medium Risk
Oral sex on a man
Male condom, lubricant
Oral sex on a woman
Dental dam or other barrier, lubricant
Rimming (licking anus)
Female condom, dental dam, plastic
wrap
Lower Risk
Sex toys
Soap & water, condoms
Manual sex play/finger play
Soap & water, latex gloves
Water sports (urination)
Soap & water

6. Male Condoms- used during intercourse of any
type & oral sex, most accessible and best known
barrier. Highly effective in preventing STIs
(except those made from lambskin condoms)
 Female Condoms- called the FC2, inserted and
can be used for regular, anal, and oral sex on a
woman.
 Dental Dams- for mouth to body contact, rubber
sheets that are small & thick and sometimes
flavored. Sheer Glyde* is a common type &
recommended. Can also turn a latex glove into a
barrier.
*Approved by the FDA for safer sex


7.  Condoms
protect against HIV, gonorrhea,
chlamydia. Some protection against HSV,
HPV.
 Check expiration date, store it in a cool
place, put it on before any interaction
occurs, use a new one every time, is possible
to be allergic and there are alternatives.
 Lubricants help prevent breaking of condom
and tears in the actual vagina/rectum. Use
water soluble products, not oil based.

8. 1.
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10.
Bring Your Own Condom BYOC
Role playing safer sex convo with friends
Create basic limits/boundaries around sex in
advance
Avoid getting under the influence beforehand
Make safer sex PART of your sex life
Don’t rush into higher-risk activities
Chose partners your comfortable with and will not
put all the responsibility on you
Work towards being about to talk about it
Seek help of therapist if you’ve had sexual or any
abuse
Don’t feel bad if you are finding this difficult to do

9. Asking your partner- not always easy and need to find
the right time & feel comfortable!
 Drug/alcohol use- being intoxicated can impair
judgment and weaken resolve to use protection,
becomes less likely to have safe sex while under
influence of any sort.
 Lack of information- when info on STIs and pregnancy is
not at hand, it is more common to occur. Health care
providers, family planning clinics and much more can
provide any and all info
 Cost/Access- Planned Parenthood and other resources
that are around are free if you put the effort and time
to call.


10.  STI
education programs work IF they are
supported
 School programs that make condoms
available report fewer students having
intercourse and higher level of safe sex
 Accurate sex info and vaccinations against
STIs do not increase sexual activity among
young adults.
 Need to keep developing and providing
culturally relevant education, especially in
low-income areas and the young women*
(highest risk)

11.  Attitudes
about sex are
shaped by the
community, economic
status & experiences
throughout life
 Cultural awareness &
factual knowledge is
necessary in success of
programs

12. Its age & culture appropriate, and in a safe
environment
 Cooperates with members of target community
 Assists young people to clarify their values
 Provide medically accurate information
 Include goals for preventing STIs
 Focus on health benefits related to goals, etc.
 Respect community values/needs
 Participatory teaching methods, implemented by
educators


13. “As someone who’s received good sexual
education from a young age, I’ve always thought
of STIs as just part of the picture, if you're ever
going to have casual hookups. That is to say, I
don’t get freaked out by folks who have STIs; I
expect people in my community (including
potential lovers) to have experiences with them,
and the best thing I see to do is to keep myself
educated and to continue to have open
conversations about how to stay safe”
 This
quote jumped out at me in a good way. It
shows the benefits of good education and
promotion of safe sex.

14.  Have
you gotten information regarding
safe sex and STIs have you gotten from
education/community programs? If so,
what? And if not, what do you think
you should have learned?